Mounting for liquid containers



E. M. O'NEILL MOUNTING F'LOR LIQUID CONTAINERS May 13, 952

Filed May 20 1946 JVV NTOE I I ,4], U, a

Patented May 13, 1952 MOUNTING FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Edward M. ONeill, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Union Machine Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 20, 1946, Serial No. 670,910

This invention relates to apparatus for making mixtures, such for example as for mixing paints, lacquers, enamels or the like or their ingredients to secure a predetermined tint. More particularly, it relates to an arrangement for supporting the individual cans containing such ingredients.

This application is a continuation in part of an application filed in the name of Edward M. ONeill on August 24, 1942, entitled Mixing Apparatus and bearing Serial No. 455,833, now Patent No. 2,438,574, issued March 30, 1948. An apparatus of this same general type is disclosed in Patent N0. 2,333,951 granted to Edward M. ONeill on November 9, 1943, and also entitled Mixing Apparatus.

In such apparatus, a revolvable table is provided with the individual paint cans detachably secured thereto adjacent its periphery, angular movement of the table serving to position successively, the chosen cans in position to discharge into the container for the mixture. Each can is provided with valve controlled outlet and additionally with a rotatable agitator for stirring the contents before discharge to form the mixture. The agitators are each carried by a vertical shaft depending into the can, and are arranged to b driven simultaneously by a common motor.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved means for mounting such cans on the table; which serves to firmly secure the can to the table; and which is easily operable to permit the removal-and replacement of the cans.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved form of agitator which facilitates removal and replacement of the can.

.It is another object of this invention to provide an improved seal about the agitator shaft where it enters the container. I

It is still another object of this invention to 9 Claims. (01. 248-315) provide an improved closure for an atmospheric vent in the can.

This invention possesses many other advantages. and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The form will now be described in detail illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section, showing the improved container mount and agitator arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a section taken as indicated by line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail section, taken as indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sections taken as indicated by correspondingly numbered lines on Fig. 1; and i Figs. 6 and 7 are sections in an enlarged scal taken as indicated by correspondingly numbered lines on Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Fig. 1, the can or container 2 may be a conventional paint can. However, it is provided with a special cover 3, as will be discussed later, and with a valve controlled outlet, such as disclosed in the above mentioned patent. The can 2 is suspended below the supporting member or table 4 by a hanger or bracket 5 secured to the table, and which is optionally operable to release the can, to allow insertion and removal thereof.

For this purpose the bracket 5 has a band 6 adapted to embrace the can 2 tightly adjacent the upper end thereof. An upper lip 2-11 on the can 2 ensures against the can slipping downwardly within the band 6. The ends of the band 6 are provided respectively with ears 1 and 8 carrying clamping means 9 for tightening the band about the can 2. When the clamping means are loosened, the natural resilience of the band 5 causes it to spring open to free the can, whereby the can may be removed by lowering it in. an axial direction.

The clamp 9 comprises a rod or bar Ill slidably mounted in suitable apertures in the ears 1 and 8, and having a head ll engaging one of the ears, as ear I. A cam member I2 is pivotally mounted at l3 on the rod l0, and has an eccentric surface 14 engaging the other car 8, as well as an elongated operating handle 15. From an inspection of Fig. 1, it will be apparent that rotation of the cam member 12 in a clockwise direction from the position shown will bring portions of the cocentric surface [4 of progressively decreasing radius against ear 8, allowing ears I and 8 to move apart and the band 6 to open. A return movement of member 12 to the position shown serves to clamp the band 6 about the can 2, such movement being limited by engagement with the ear. 8 of the fiat portion M-a of the cam surface l4 formed where the cam surface merges with the surface l6 of the handle IS. The cam 12 is so proportioned with respect to the friction ranged to move with the band 6.

3 between the surface l4 and ear 8 that the tendency of the band 6 to spring open is incapable of causing the member |2 to rotate.

The band 6 is suspended beneath the table 4 by a plurality of arms as l1, l8 and I9 with ears 20, 2| and 22 respectively, through which pass bolts 23, 24 and 25 securing the arms to the table 4. To facilitate the clamping of the band 6 about a can 2 and its release thereof, twoof the arms preferably those adjacent the clamp 9 are ar- Thus, arm I8 is fixed to the table 4 by bolt 24, while arms I! and H! are permitted limited transverse'movement with respect to the table.

Thus, referring to Figs. 2 and .3, it will be seen in the lower end portion of shaft 33 into which that the bolt does not clamp the ear 22 against the member 4, but merely supports the ear .22 by a washer 26 on the bolt head 25-11. A separator 21 is interposed between the washer 2B and member 4 to provide clearance for the car 22. This car 22 has a large opening 23 accommodating the separator 21 and providing suflicient clearance about the separator to allow the required movement of the arm IS. A similar arrangement is provided for supporting the other movable arm I1. I

As pointed out in said patent, .it' is desirable to stir or agitate the contents of the can 2 before use.. For this purpose an agitator is provided in the can 2, supported near the bottom of the can .by means of a rotatable spindle 3|. The agitator 30 may be formed conveniently .of a fiat metal bar having an intermediate portion 30-11 of reduced width secured as by brazing in a slot in the lower end of the spindle 3|. Those portions ofthe bar 30 on pposite sides of the spindle are bent so that the broad-surfaces of the barlie, in planes oblique to the spindle axis. The spindle 3| is detachably connectedby a couplin 32 to be driven and guided by a vertical shaft 33, rotatably mounted in a bearing 34 supported on the table member 4. A pulley 35 is fixed on the upper end of the shaft .33 and is connected with a source of power (not shown) by means ofabelt3fil- 7 :Since the spindle 3| must pass through the cover of the container 2, it is preferred toprovide a special cover 3 which is arranged for this pun pose and substituted for the original cover before can 2 is inserted in the bracket 5. Thecover 3 is substantially identical with the cover usually 7 employed on cans such as :2, except for the ;pro-- vision of the means 39 for supporting the spindle 3| and-providinga .seal around it.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that the opening 40 in the cover .3, through which the spindle 3|passes, providesalarge clearance about the spindle 3| ,thereby eliminating any need for accurate alignment of the container 2 and its supporting bracket .5 with respect to shaft .33 and bearing .34 onythe member 4. In order to .seal the opening 48 about the spindle 34, a packing ring 41 of resilient material such .as cork is pro- .vided to seal against the spindle. The ring 4| has :an outside diameter sufficiently large to ensure the ring -4i| overlaying the opening .4!) ;fo r any adjusted position of :the spindle :31.

' :.The packing 4| is housed ina threaded-member 42 secured :to the .cover 3 about .the opening .41], this member being .suiiiciently flame to .accommodate the packing :41 lfOI any adjusted :position of the spindle :31. A cap..-1l3 havingan aperture 44 of the same diameter opening -40 .and threaded on'the member 42, serves to urge the ring4| into sealingre'lation with the-cover 3 after the upper end portion 3|-a of the spindle 3| is adapted to fit. The upper end of spindle 3| has a diametral slot for engaging a pi 0 carried by the shaft 33 and extending across the recess 3.3-a. It will be apparent that appropriate axial movement between the spindle 3| and shaft 33 will serve in a simple manner to connect and disconnect the spindle and the shaft.

Furthermore, when the spin le and the shaf e p d, the telescopic connection prov ded by'the recess33-a and the upper end ortion 31-11 of the spindle 3| serves to maintain the s indle and the sha t in substantial ali nment and prevent any tendency of the spindle to, web.- ble on its supporting washer 48..

The manner of placin the container '2. in position on the table ,4 is as follows; After the can 2 has been provided with a suitable .outletas described in said patent, the original cover re.- placed by h cover 3 arryin the a i ator .30.- The 2 is then placed in the bracket Efrem below, by movement in a generally axial direction, spindle 3| being inserted in recess 337e At this time, the cam I2 is in position to release the band 6 and cap .43 is loose to allow free lateral movement of the spindle ;3| and packing 4|. After the container is in place, the .cam 12 is operated to clamp the band .6 about the container and .cap 43 is tightened to compress the packing 4|. V

When i is desired to em ve he .zcontainsi, the cam l2 isoperated to release the band and they container ,is lowered until free of the bracket 5' after which th cover 3 with. agitator :30 may be detached fo f her use I wil b aker that the particular type of coupling 32, greatly ,facilie tates placement and remo al of he con aine To facilitate w t drawal of the c ten s f om the can 2.,a-vent'5l-1nay le -provide th sonar 3 v(see Fig. 179., having .a. closure member 152 to revent deterioration .of the can contents. closure member 52 comprises .a tapered plug 53 secured to .one end of .a lever arm .34 pivotaily mounted von the cover 3 and resiliently urged into the vent 51. When'it is idesiredto open the vent, the arm 54 is pulled upwardly by the handle 55 to lift the plug '53 clear ot-the vent, and swin about'its pivot to allow the plug to rest on the cover 3. When it desired toclose the vent, the arm 54 is manipulated to return the plugto-the vent. The lever arm 541s secured to the cover 3 for pivotal movement by ,a screw 56 passing through a clearance aperture 51 the arm, whereby the arm may be manipulated also-to lift the plug 53 fromthevent or to cause it "to close the vent. A compression spring "53 confined between the lever-154 and the head of the screw ;5'B serves to'urge the plug 53 into the ventil.

The inventor claims:

"1. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace a container but-normally free thereof to permit ready removal -or-replacement of the container within the band, means to clamp the band about the container, arms for supporting the band and secured thereto at spaced points around the perimeter of the band, said arms extending lengthwise of the axis of the band, a member to which said arms are attached, means securing an arm rigidly to said member, and means securing the other arms to said member, said means providing for limited free transverse movement of the other arms.

2. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace a container but normally free thereof to permit ready removal or replacement of the container within the band, means to clamp the band about the container, arms for supportin the band and secured thereto at spaced points around the perimeter of the band, said arms extending lengthwise of the axis of the band, a member to which said arms are attached, means securing an arm rigidly to said member, and means securing the other arms to said member, said means including a slotted ear projecting from each of said other arms, and means extending through the slot and slidably supporting the ear.

3. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace a container but normally free thereof to permit ready removal or replacement of the container within the band, means to clamp the band about the container, arms for supporting the band and secured thereto at spaced points around the perimeter of the band, said arms extending lengthwise of the axis of the band, a member to which said arms are attached, means securing an arm rigidly to said member, and means securing the other arms to said member, said means including a slotted ear projecting. from each of said other arms, and a headed pin extending from said member and through the slot, a separator between the member and the head, said head serving to slidably secure the ear to said member.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a clamping ring adapted to be compressed around a cylindrical object for supporting it, a plurality of arms spaced around the ring and attached thereto, said arms extending lengthwise of the axis of the ring, means providing a fixed support for one of the arms, and means restraining the other arms against substantial movement except in ring expanding and contracting position.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a clamping ring adapted to be compressed around a cylindrical object for supporting it, a plurality of arms spaced around the ring and attached thereto, said arms extending lengthwise of the axis of the ring, means providing a fixed support for one of the arms, and a slot and pin connection between said support and each of the other arms for permitting expansion and contraction of said ring.

6. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace tightly a cylindrical container or to free said container to facilitate placement thereof, within the band or removal therefrom, means including a rotatable cam to clamp the band about the container, a plurality of supporting arms secured to said band in spaced relation around the band, and to a supporting memher, said arms extending longitudinally of the axis of the band, one of said arms being fixed at its point of attachment to the member to position said band, the other arms at their points of attachment to the member permitting expansion and contraction of such band.

7. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace a container but normally free thereof to permit ready removal or replacement of the container within the band, means to clamp the band around the container, individual arms for supporting the band and individually secured thereto at spaced points around the perimeter of the band, said arms extending upwardly from the band longitudinally of the axis of the band, a member to which said arms are attached, means securing one of said arms rigidly to said member, and means securing the other arms to said member, said last-mentioned means providing for limited free transverse movement of said other arms.

8. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace a container but normally free thereof to permit ready removal or replacement of the container within the band, means to clamp the band around the container, individual arms for supporting the band and secured thereto at spaced points around the perimeter of the band, said arms extending upwardly from the band longitudinally of the axis of the band, a member to which said arms are attached, means securing one of said arms rigidly to said member, and means securing the other of said. arms to said member, said last-mentioned means including a slotted ear projecting from each of said other arms transversely of said other arms, and means extending through the slot of each ear and slidably supporting the ear.

9. In a supporting frame, a resilient band adapted to embrace tightly a cylindrical container or to free said container to facilitate placement thereof within the band or removal therefrom, means including a cam rotatable about an axis transversely of the axis of the band to clamp the band about the container, a plurality of supporting arms secured to said band in spaced relation around the band, and also to a supporting member, said arms extending upwardly from the band longitudinally of the axis of the band, one of said arms being fixed at its point of attachment to the member to position said band, the other arms at their points of attachment to the member permitting expansion and contraction of said band.

EDW. M. O'NEILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 903,841 Cohn Nov. 17, 1908 918,534 Guilford Apr. 20, 1909 1,578,134 Kaiser Mar. 23, 1926 1,858,144 Fariello -s. May 10, 1932 2,277,738 Wilkinson Mar. 31, 1942 2,286,913 Kelly et al June 16, 1942 2,333,951 ONeill Nov. 9, 1943 

